Skateboarding
Skateboarding
How to ollie on a skateboard: A step-by-step guide to get it right
Here is everything you need to know about nailing the infamous ollie.
Whether you are trying to become the next Tony Hawk, or you just want to improve your skateboarding tricks to impress your friends, you can't go wrong with the ollie. You've seen this classic skateboarding trick everywhere, from amateur skateboarders in every skate park to professionals at top-level competitions. Why not try it yourself?
The Origins of the Ollie
Allan "Ollie" Gelfand is the person we have to thank for this iconic skateboarding move. In 1976, he finally figured out a way to do airs on a skateboard without having to actually grab and hold the board with your hands while airborne. However, we should be thanking Rodney Mullen as well, because he is the one who took Allan's trick to a whole new level, naming it "the ollie" in Allan's honor and helping it become a fundamental part of modern skateboarding.
Today, everyone says that the ollie is the first trick beginner skateboarders should learn, making it a right-of-passage of sorts.
Maxim Habanec
© Garret Clarke/Red Bull Content Pool
Must-Have Pre-Ollie Skateboarding Skills
Before you try a skateboard ollie, you should have these skateboarding skills:
Pushing off
Pushing off is a fundamental skill for any skateboarder. After all, it's the skill that makes the difference between actually skateboarding and just standing still. To push off, you need to place your dominant foot on the board, and with your non-dominant foot, begin pushing the ground as you accel further. Once you get to the speed you desire, bring your non-dominant foot up onto the back of the board.
Kick-Turning
Kick-turning helps you change directions while skateboarding. To kick-turn, place your feet towards the back of your board before pressing down and maneuvering your feet to redirect the front of your board. Then resume your usual stance.
Stopping
Stopping can mean the difference between crashing into something or someone and remaining unscathed (although what would skateboarding be without a few scrapes, right?). One way to stop is heel-dragging. Simply place your back foot so that the heel is over the edge and your toes still rest on the board, then lean backward with your heel and allow it to scrape against the ground. This friction causes your board to come to a stop. Heel-dragging does take some practice, but it works.
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How to Do an Ollie
Now that you know the basics, here is how to do an ollie on a skateboard:
1. Position your feet
The position of your feet right before you attempt an ollie is very important. Your back foot should rest in the middle of the tail while your front foot should be placed just after the middle of the board but before the front truck bolts. This position will help give you the momentum you need to get you, and your board, airborne.
2. Add the right pressure to the back of your board
With your feet in the optimal position and your back foot still resting in the middle of the tail of your board, apply your weight to your back foot quickly. Do this fast to gain momentum. If you don't do this fast, there might not be enough momentum to get you off the ground to carry out the ollie successfully.
3. Wait until you feel the board touch the ground to jump
Once you feel the back of your board touch the ground, immediately start your jump.
4. Jump, letting your front foot drag upwards
As you jump, the force of your back foot pressing down on the tail of the board should cause the front of the board to rise upwards at a diagonal angle. As this happens, your front foot, previously resting between the middle and front trunk bolts, should also begin to rise and swiftly slide up the board to rest against the nose. This is extremely important for your final landing stance.
Zack Wallin
© Gaston Francisco / Red Bull Content Pool
5. At the peak of your jump, get ready to land
At the peak of your jump, you and your board should be fully airborne and parallel to the ground. Your back foot should be lightly resting on the trunk bolts at the back of the board, while your front foot should be lightly resting on the trunk bolts at the front of the board. Having your weight in the right places is super important because it helps you sustain your balance when you land and prevent you from breaking your board.
6. Bend your knees as your board meets the ground
Once your board hits the ground, let gravity take over. Allow your knees to bend, further allowing your whole body to come to a squatting position on your board. This can help prevent your board from going out from under you when you land, and it can also help minimize the impact on your legs once you and your board hit the ground.
Now all you have to do is practice, practice, practice until you conquer it!
Useful Tips to Help You Master the Ollie
The ollie is a must for any skateboarder, as we know, and you can master it by using a few helpful tips.
Keep your shoulders straight
Believe it or not, it's not just your feet that need to be in the right position prior to landing. You also need to make sure that your shoulders are straight and that they line up with the front and back ends of your skateboard. If you notice that your shoulders are pointed forward in the direction of your landing, you might have less of a smooth landing and more of a gnarly wipeout instead. Making sure your shoulders match up with the ends of your board when doing the ollie skateboard trick is paramount to a sick landing.
Start slow
Although you want to get a swift, fluid motion when actually performing an ollie, in order to master it, you need to start out slow. Pay attention to how it feels when you press your foot down, causing it to scrape the ground. The same goes for the actual jump itself. Over time, you'll get the foot placement down, slide your feet just right as you lift up into the air, and get the technique perfect. Starting slow can help you build up more confidence, making you able to take your skateboarding to the next level.
Make use of your momentum
Even after you crush the ollie, you might wonder, how do I ollie even higher? The answer is easier said than done: increase that momentum of yours in your initial jump. If you want to ollie higher, you first need to get the hang of increasing the fluidity of your motions while also pressing down even harder on the tail of your board. Start by aggressively stomping down on the tail of your board with your back foot. Then just as quickly, jump up, raising your arms to help your body rise higher off the ground. This is the best way to get a higher ollie on your skateboard.
Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and practice the ollie! This humble trick can quickly lead to more advanced maneuvers with enough practice. Need some inspiration? Follow Red Bull Skate on Instagram and Twitter.
